Anderson University (Indiana)

Mission

"The mission of Anderson University is to educate for a life of faith and service in the church and society." In 2007, the Board of Trustees adopted several "supporting statements" to further clarify the Mission Statement. Those supporting statements are:

History

Anderson University was established in 1917 as the Anderson Bible Training School by the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) movement. The school was a major step in the life of a fellowship of Christians that originated in 1881. The young school moved rapidly to develop a wider general education program, changed its name to Anderson College and Theological Seminary, then Anderson College, and finally, Anderson University.

Organization

Anderson University has grown to include an undergraduate liberal arts program, organized into seven schools; graduate programs in theology, music, nursing, and business; and a Department of Adult Studies.

Falls School of Business

The Falls School of Business offers undergraduate majors in management, marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, and global business, as well as graduate MBA and DBA programs, including a residential MBA program designed especially for students who recently completed their undergraduate degree. The MBA program also includes a dual-degree in nursing. MBA classes are offered in Indianapolis, Speedway, Greenwood, Noblesville, and Carmel as well as Anderson. The school's programs are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

School of Education

The Anderson University School of Education offers licensing programs for elementary and secondary education in a variety of content areas. Dual licensing is also available in special education, teaching English as a New Language and TESOL certification, and middle school/junior high math. The school is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE).

School of Humanities

The Anderson University School of Humanities and Behavioral Science offers programs in: Communication and Design Arts, English, History and Political Science, Modern Foreign Languages and Cultures, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Criminal Justice, and Family Science.

School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

The Anderson University School of Music, Theatre, and Dance offers a number of undergraduate majors in music, musical theatre, and dance as well as a graduate Master of Music Education program. Undergraduate majors include music education, voice performance, instrumental performance, musical theatre, church music, music business, music, dance performance, and dance business. The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

School of Nursing and Kinesiology

The School of Nursing and Kinesiology offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing in addition, to a graduate Master of Science in Nursing with three track options: education, administration, or MSN-MBA (dual-degree). The school is accredited by the National League for Nursing. The school also has programs in Kinesiology including Exercise Science, Athletic Training, Physical Education, and Sports & Recreational Leadership.

School of Theology and Christian Ministry

The Anderson University School of Theology offers five graduate theological degrees, including the Doctor of Ministry, Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Christian Ministry (offered 100% online), and Master of Intercultural Service. In addition, the seminary offers non-degree continuing education courses through the Center for Christian Leadership. The School of Theology is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. Undergraduate programs include: Bible and Religion, Biblical Studies, Christian Ministries, and Youth Ministries.

Academic Programs

The university now offers more than 60 majors in all fields of study.

Adult learning programs

Administration

Oversight is provided by the Anderson University Board of Trustees, the organizational body that sets goals and dictates general policy for the university.

Funding

Anderson University is a private institution, receiving funds from tuition, fees, research grants (including funds from the Lilly Endowment and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management), private scholarship funds, and alumni contributions. The university's endowment was $20.8 million as of FY06.

President

The current president is John Pistole who assumed leadership on March 2, 2015. Previously, Pistole was the former Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration from 2010 until 2014. Prior to working at TSA, Pistole was the Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2004 til 2010. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from Anderson in 1978.

Campus

The 100-acre (40 ha) campus is located in Anderson, Indiana at 40.1119864°N 85.6660871°W / 40.1119864; -85.6660871 approximately 40 miles (64 km) northeast of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Featured facilities on the campus include the Reardon Auditorium and the Kardatzke Wellness Center. The new addition to the campus is the Anderson University Flagship Center, a residential and academic facility located at Exit 222 on I-69 in Anderson, Indiana. The building is a partnership between Anderson University and Purdue University. Athletic facilities on the campus include Macholtz Stadium and the O. C. Lewis Gymnasium.

Academic buildings

The Krannert Fine Arts Building includes a fully equipped digital studio for students to learn the basics in recording concepts. The AU studio accommodates recital recordings, clients, and three classes.

Service buildings

Indianapolis Colts Training Camp

The Indianapolis Colts of the NFL held their training camp at Anderson University from 1984 to 1998. After an 11 year stint at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, the Colts elected to return to Anderson, Indiana to renew their familiar partnership with the local university in 2010. The team's current contract with the university ran through the 2016 training camp, which concluded on August 11, 2016.

Student activities

Anderson University student activities are coordinated by the Student Life staff, the Campus Activities Board, and the Student Government Association.

Chapel services

Required chapel/convocation attendance for students is an Anderson University tradition, maintained throughout the entire history of the university. Students are currently required to attend 18 chapels per semester to fulfill the undergraduate requirement.

Persons from the campus community gather regularly for chapel/convocation services. Speakers include campus personalities and guests. Students regularly participate in music and worship leadership with all events coordinated by the school's campus pastor.

Honor societies

Anderson University has several honor societies. They are as the following:

Clubs and Organizations

Anderson University has over 100 opportunities in fine arts, athletics, academics, and special interests/hobbies. Here are a few options.

Social clubs

The university allows student run social clubs that are similar to other campus's fraternities and sororities. These clubs have an important role on campus as they put on annual events and service projects. Each club gives back to the community of Anderson in some way and strives to set examples for other students on campus. Current social clubs include but are not limited to:

Campus ministries

Campus Ministries seeks to foster intentional Christian discipleship and spiritual growth in order to help students experience Christ as the living center of their life. This life of faithfulness involves communion with Christ, community with each other and ministry to the world.

Athletics

The Anderson Ravens compete in athletics in the NCAA Division III and the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Men's sports offered at Anderson University include football, basketball, baseball, tennis, golf, soccer, cross country, swimming, and track & field. Women's sports offered at Anderson University include basketball, softball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, golf, cross country, swimming, and track & field. Anderson University also offers Men's Volleyball, Rugby, and Men's Lacrosse as club sports. Formerly the Tigers, AU's nickname was changed to the Ravens in 1937. The current mascot is Rodney the Raven.

Hall of fame

The Anderson University Athletic Hall of Fame was started in 1997 with 10 inductees that year. Ten additional honorees were added in 1998. Members have been inducted each year. The names are nominees are submitted and given consideration by the Hall of Fame committee. The committee has 11 representatives and is headed by university's Athletic Director. The inductees are announced each Spring and formally inducted into the Hall of Fame at a banquet during the university's homecoming activities each Fall.

Sports medicine

Students and professors of the athletic training program work with Anderson University athletes.

Intramurals

In 2002 the intramural program became a campus sensation when student founder Brandon Casburn took over. Upon graduation Casburn left the program to one of his most trusted colleagues and friends, Trent Palmer, who then took the reins and turned the program into one of the nations best. BestColleges.com voted Anderson University as one of the country's top 25 colleges for intramurals sports. The intramural (IM) program at AU exists in order to develop a balanced and Christ-like character in the lives of students, and to strengthen the university community through competition, team building, and involvement. IM sports at AU are coordinated by the Student Activities office within the Department of Student Life. Whose Ball Is It Anyway is a basketball team in intramurals that has drawn the most students to a single campus event in Anderson University's history.

"Dreams. Discovery. Direction." campaign

At the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year, Anderson University announced the public phase of a $110 million capital campaign. The "Dreams. Discovery. Direction." campaign is the university’s largest fundraising effort to date. The campaign raised support for endowment and scholarships, facilities, academic and student programs, and operational needs. An estimated $51 million is expected to be used for capital projects, $34 million for endowment and $25 million for operational support. At the time of launch, the university announced that more than $61 million of the campaign goal had been received in gifts and commitments. The campaign concluded on Dec. 31, 2011, with $113 million raised.

Expected projects for the campaign include: